The research, conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics, showed a a 16 percent drop in such programs in public elementary schools over the past 10 years and a 3 percent drop in secondary schools.

The study showed a disparity between affluent and low-income school districts, where poorer children were 28 percent less likely to have theater arts instruction in their schools.

"Youth who participate in school drama and theater arts programs score better on standardized tests and achieve higher graduation rates," she said. "It is a travesty that the children in most need of these programs are losing access."

Doug Herbert, special assistant for the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Innovation, will present the findings at the alliance's national conference this summer in Lexington, Ky.